Little Indy

I’m not sure how Brae’s recent infatuation with this little guy developed.

In fact, I’m pretty certain that when The Crystal Skull was released on DVD, I had to beg him to just SIT STILL for a few hours so that we could be disappointed watch it together. At the time, he was completely uninterested in any movie in which the characters were not at least partially animated. And I’ll confess, The Crystal Skull was not exactly the best choice to try and build that bridge over to the land of real actors, but regardless- he wasn’t into it.

As opposed to now, when it’s THE ONLY REASON HE EXISTS ON THIS PLANET.

So what’s changed? Nothing as far as I can tell, but from the moment he spotted the Indiana Jones Legos at Target, he HAD to have them. And then he HAD to come home and watch Raiders of the Lost Ark. And then The Temple of Doom. And then that one with River Phoenix and even more Nazis’. He even took on the underachieving Crystal Skull again.

I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I allowed him to A: watch Indiana Jones in all his pistol-whipping-throat-punching-just-generally-violent- glory and B: Spread these movies out over the course of only two days, watching them back-to-back and pausing only to eat and sleep. I’m not sure which makes me worse of a parent, but there it is. He’s obsessed.

And wouldn’t you know, again I am encouraging his new obsession.

Because anything is better than monster trucks.

I'll also be dispensing hugs today

I had planned to write a post today about how all the appliances in my life are conspiring against me, but then I realized something: today is actually shaping up to be an okay day. And days like today need some form of acknowledgment. So hats off to you, Wednesday. You do me well.

Things to feel good about today:

1. Schoolwork (almost) complete. With the exception of one short story that needs to be revised and turned in tonight, I am finished with ALL of my writing classes. And now have nothing to look forward to. Great.

2. Wait a second, I DO have time now to do all the research for which graduate programs I‘ll be applying to. This is good. My original choices have somehow fallen off the grid, which means I need to do some serious digging over the next few months before making any final decisions. And then harassing people for letters of recommendation. Watch out.

3. I’m back at work full-time which means my paycheck will once again be more than the price of a dinner at Taco Bell.

4. Speaking of food- the combination sun-dried tomato and sour cream and onion whole wheat bagel I had for breakfast this morning.

5. My tan. Which if you’ve seen me in the cooler months; you’ll know why this made the list.

6. That I made it through the entire Kindergarten open house last night without crying in public. (I should stress that last part since the moment we arrived home I started weeping and felt slightly ridiculous. Rites of passage: I cry for thee.)

7. And last but not least- the poster in the health clinic’s examination room that reminded me once again that jumping around after sex does not prevent pregnancy. And I’m not a damn kangaroo.

I always have such a hard time with the second part of that last one.

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If it makes you feel better, I'll be losing a lot of sleep too.

I'll go ahead and apologize now because posting is going to be light over the next few weeks as this semester's classes are winding down. As much as I'm looking forward to having my free time back, I'm feeling a little sad at the thought of leaving classes (yet again). I love the college atmosphere, the relaxed and breezy all-in-the-name-of-education attitude that spikes the Kool-Aid 'round here. And it's not just because I'm lazy and like the excuse.

Though I did enjoy working part time. A LOT. I'm really going to miss that.

This past year has been challenging. The writing program at the University of South Florida is no joke. I've produced a lot of material over the year that I'm really into and feel like I've made some significant progress in my work. I'm now looking forward to the painstaking process of filling out graduate school applications and watching my son enter kindergarten in the fall.

And maybe even moving out of my mother's home at the end of summer. Who knows? Lets go crazy!

I'm happy now. Happier now than I would have thought a year ago. And things are okay.

That's a little sappy, I know. If I had a good fart joke I'd insert it here.

Brae's now playing T-ball and had his first game last Saturday. I'd like to point out that while he just barely managed to hit the ball, he was able to engage the female 2nd baseman in a lengthy conversation, thereby diverting her attention from the game. He's a slick one, that little fox.

The Pigeon Books

Mo Willems is the author and illustrator of my current favorite children's series of books- the pigeon books. Brae and I read one of the pigeon books almost every night. His current favorite, and newest addition to our growing collection: The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, has been on repeat for the past several weeks. This would normally bug me, as I like to vary the books we read before bed, but because these books are short and funny, I gladly welcome them into our nighttime routine.

Willems is a former writer for Sesame Street as well a comedian. His humor is wonderfully appropriate for those who have yet to master wiping their own butt as well as those who are skilled in it. In other words, you don't have to be a kid to appreciate the pigeon's witty dialogue and humorous illustrations.

Also, these stories have a charming interactive element. The pigeon speaks directly to the reader, trying to convince them to allow him to do something he should not. Of course, the correct answer to most of the pigeon's questions is "No", something I'm sure most kids would say when asked a question such as, "Hey, can I drive the bus?"

Only my son would shrug at this question, smile and reply, "Sure. Why not? Could be fun."

Uh oh.
Someones getting home schooled.